1 Kings 15:11

KJV

And Asa did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, as [did] David his father.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Asa {H609} did {H6213} that which was right {H3477} in the eyes {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, as did David {H1732} his father {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Asa did what was right from the perspective of ADONAI, as David his ancestor had done.

Berean Standard Bible

And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done.

American Standard Version

And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, as did David his father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Asa of Judah is introduced with a profoundly positive divine assessment, declaring that he "did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD." This commendation immediately sets him apart from many of his predecessors and successors, establishing him as a monarch committed to spiritual integrity and covenant faithfulness. The verse further elevates his standing by comparing his righteous conduct directly to that of "David his father," the gold standard for kingship in Judah, signaling a reign marked by devotion to God's ways and a significant effort toward religious reform.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the introductory evaluation of King Asa, a common literary device in the books of Kings. The author of Kings meticulously records the reigns of both Israelite and Judean monarchs, consistently evaluating them against the standard of the Mosaic Law and, particularly for Judah, the faithfulness of King David. Preceding Asa's reign was that of his father, Abijam (or Abijah), who "walked in all the sins of his father, which he had committed" ([1 Kings 15:3](/1_kings/15-3 "1 Kings 15:3 - Abijam's Unrighteous Reign")). This immediate contrast highlights Asa's distinct departure from the negative spiritual trajectory of his direct predecessor, setting the stage for a period of much-needed reform in Judah. The evaluation formula "did that which was right/evil in the eyes of the LORD" is a recurring motif, underscoring the theological lens through which the kings' reigns are presented.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The kingdom of Judah, at this point, was one of two divided monarchies, existing alongside the northern kingdom of Israel. Following the schism after Solomon's reign, both kingdoms frequently struggled with idolatry, syncretism, and moral decline. Judah, while retaining the Davidic dynasty and the Temple in Jerusalem, was not immune to the pervasive influence of pagan worship, often incorporating foreign deities and practices into its religious life, as seen in the reign of Asa's grandfather, Rehoboam ([1 Kings 14:22-24](/1_kings/14-22 "1 Kings 14:22-24 - Judah's Idolatry Under Rehoboam")). In this environment, a king's commitment to Yahweh worship and the eradication of idolatry was paramount for the spiritual health of the nation. Asa's reign, therefore, represents a significant counter-cultural movement within a broader context of spiritual compromise, attempting to restore the nation to its covenant obligations.

* **Key Themes:** The primary themes in this verse and the broader narrative of Asa's reign include **Righteous Kingship** and **Covenant Faithfulness**. The phrase "did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD" is the quintessential theological judgment for a king, signifying obedience to God's commandments and a pursuit of His will. This contrasts sharply with the frequent condemnation of kings who "did evil in the eyes of the LORD" ([1 Kings 14:22](/1_kings/14-22 "1 Kings 14:22 - Rehoboam's Evil Reign")). Furthermore, the comparison to "David his father" invokes the theme of the **Davidic Covenant** ([2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")), which promised an enduring dynasty and an ideal king who would rule justly. Asa's adherence to David's spiritual legacy, despite David's personal failings, underscores the importance of a heart devoted to God as the ultimate measure of a king's reign. His efforts to remove idolatry and restore true worship also highlight the theme of **Religious Reform** and the constant tension between apostasy and revival in Israel's history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Right (Hebrew, _yashar_):** This Hebrew adjective (יָשָׁר) means "straight," "upright," "just," or "pleasing." When used in a moral or ethical sense, as it is here, it denotes conduct that is in perfect alignment with God's standards and will. It implies not merely outward conformity but an internal disposition of integrity and sincerity in seeking God's approval. It contrasts with "crooked" or "perverse" ways, emphasizing a life lived in accordance with divine truth.
* **In the eyes of the LORD (Hebrew, _b'eynei YHWH_):** This idiomatic phrase (בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה) signifies divine judgment and approval. It emphasizes that the ultimate arbiter of a king's conduct is God Himself, not human opinion, political expediency, or military success. This theological perspective is central to the books of Kings, where the spiritual fidelity of the monarch is the primary criterion for evaluating their reign's success or failure in God's sight.
* **David his father (Hebrew, _David 'aviv_):** The reference to David (דָּוִיד אָבִיו) is the highest possible commendation for a king in Judah. While David had significant moral failures (e.g., Bathsheba, Uriah), his overall heart was described as "after the LORD's own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God's Choice of David")). He established the Davidic covenant and consistently sought God's will, even in repentance. This comparison indicates that Asa, like David, demonstrated a fundamental commitment to Yahweh worship and covenant obedience, making him a rare example of a righteous king in a period of widespread apostasy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Asa did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD":** This clause provides the overarching divine assessment of Asa's reign. It declares his fundamental moral and spiritual orientation as pleasing to God. This judgment is not based on his political acumen or military victories (though he had them), but on his adherence to God's commandments and his efforts to lead the nation in true worship. It is a theological statement of approval, setting the tone for the description of his reign.
* **"as [did] David his father":** This comparative clause elevates Asa's righteousness to the highest biblical standard for a Judean king. It signifies that Asa's reign, in its core devotion to Yahweh and commitment to covenant principles, mirrored the exemplary spiritual leadership of King David. This comparison implies a deliberate effort by Asa to follow David's example in upholding the worship of Yahweh and eradicating idolatry, despite the pervasive spiritual decline of the era. It also implicitly highlights the enduring significance of the Davidic line and covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Formulaic Evaluation**, a recurring literary pattern throughout the books of Kings where each monarch's reign is introduced with a standard judgment phrase ("did what was right/evil in the eyes of the LORD"). This formula provides a consistent theological framework for understanding the kings' spiritual standing. Additionally, **Comparison/Analogy** is central, as Asa's actions are directly compared to "David his father." This analogy serves as a powerful commendation, leveraging the established ideal of Davidic kingship to highlight Asa's exceptional righteousness. Finally, the phrase "in the eyes of the LORD" utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (eyes, sight) to God to convey His active observation and judgment of human conduct, emphasizing His ultimate authority and moral standard.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 15:11 powerfully connects to the broader biblical themes of divine sovereignty, the nature of true righteousness, and the importance of faithful leadership. Asa's commitment to doing "right in the eyes of the LORD" underscores that genuine success and blessing are predicated on alignment with God's will, not human wisdom or popular opinion. This verse reminds us that God is the ultimate judge, and His approval is the only true measure of worth. The comparison to David highlights the enduring significance of covenant faithfulness and the legacy of spiritual devotion passed down through generations. It emphasizes that while human leaders are imperfect, their fundamental orientation towards God is paramount. Asa's reign, initiated with such a strong divine endorsement, serves as a beacon of hope in a period often marked by spiritual decline, demonstrating that even amidst widespread apostasy, a return to God's ways is possible through committed leadership.

* [Deuteronomy 6:18](/deuteronomy/6-18 "Deuteronomy 6:18 - Doing What Is Right in the LORD's Eyes")
* [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - The Enduring Davidic Covenant")
* [Psalm 1:1-3](/psalms/1-1 "Psalm 1:1-3 - The Blessings of the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Asa's example in 1 Kings 15:11 offers a profound challenge and encouragement for believers today. His commitment to doing "right in the eyes of the LORD" reminds us that our ultimate aim should be God's approval, not the fleeting praise of people or the shifting standards of culture. In a world that often measures success by wealth, power, or popularity, Asa's life calls us to prioritize spiritual integrity and obedience to divine truth. Just as Asa actively removed idols and reformed worship, we are called to identify and dismantle "idols" in our own lives—anything that competes for God's rightful place in our hearts, whether it be career, comfort, relationships, or personal ambition. His legacy encourages us to be courageous in our faith, to lead by example in our spheres of influence (family, work, community), and to consistently seek God's will above all else, trusting that true blessing flows from a life aligned with His righteous character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I define "right" in my own life, and how does that definition align with "what is right in the eyes of the LORD"?**
* **What "idols" (anything that takes precedence over God) might I need to identify and remove from my life, following Asa's example of religious reform?**
* **In what ways can I, like King Asa, strive to live a life that earns God's commendation, rather than seeking human approval?**
* **How does the legacy of faithful individuals, like David for Asa, inspire and challenge my own spiritual journey?**

### FAQ

**Why is David considered the standard for righteousness despite his significant sins (e.g., Bathsheba, Uriah)?**

Answer: David is considered the standard not because he was sinless, but because of his fundamental heart disposition and his immediate, profound repentance when confronted with his sin. The biblical narrative consistently highlights that David was a "man after God's own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God's Choice of David")) because he consistently sought God's will and was committed to His covenant, even when he failed. His willingness to acknowledge his sin and turn back to God (as seen in [Psalm 51](/psalms/51 "Psalm 51 - David's Prayer of Repentance")) set him apart from many other kings who persisted in their rebellion. The comparison to David, therefore, emphasizes a king's core devotion to Yahweh and adherence to covenant principles, rather than a perfect moral record.

**What specific actions did King Asa take that demonstrated his righteousness?**

Answer: King Asa undertook significant religious reforms that clearly demonstrated his commitment to doing "right in the eyes of the LORD." He removed the foreign altars and high places, broke down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and even deposed his own grandmother, Maacah, for making an abominable image for Asherah ([1 Kings 15:12-13](/1_kings/15-12 "1 Kings 15:12-13 - Asa's Reforms")). He also brought dedicated gifts back into the house of the LORD ([1 Kings 15:15](/1_kings/15-15 "1 Kings 15:15 - Asa's Dedication to the Temple")). These actions, detailed further in [2 Chronicles 14-16](/2_chronicles/14 "2 Chronicles 14 - Asa's Reign and Reforms"), show his active pursuit of spiritual purity and the eradication of idolatry from Judah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
King Asa's reign, though commendable, ultimately points beyond itself to the perfect and ultimate King, Jesus Christ. Asa "did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father," yet even Asa's righteousness was imperfect, as evidenced by his later reliance on a foreign king and his anger towards the prophet Hanani ([2 Chronicles 16:7-10](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7-10 - Asa's Later Failures")). This highlights the need for a King whose righteousness is not merely commendable but absolute and flawless. Jesus, as the true Son of David ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus")), perfectly fulfilled the ideal of Davidic kingship. He consistently did "that which was right in the eyes of the LORD" in every thought, word, and deed, living a life of perfect obedience to the Father's will ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). Unlike Asa, who could only partially cleanse his kingdom, Christ, through His atoning sacrifice, completely cleanses His people from sin and idolatry, establishing a kingdom of righteousness that will never end ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Asa's righteous reign serves as a shadow, foreshadowing the coming of the King who truly embodies and perfectly fulfills all righteousness, providing the ultimate spiritual reform and eternal salvation for His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.